These days, the issue of marital rape, i.e forced sexual relationship with wife after marriage, is in discussion in the country. Behind this are the recent decisions of two different High Courts of the country related to merit rape. The Kerala High Court, in one of its judgments, had held that forcible intercourse with the wife is a strong ground for divorce. Please note that there is no punishment for marital rape in India. At the same time, recently the Chhattisgarh High Court had acquitted the husband who was found accused in the lower court.

He was accused of forcibly having sex with his wife several times. The husband was found guilty by the trial court while the high court acquitted him on the grounds that coercive relationship by the husband with a legally married wife does not amount to rape. The court, however, allowed a case of illicit relationship and dowry harassment against the person under Section 377.